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Feel free to browse our upcoming weekends, but note that you need to be a member of the Metropolitan Walkers to attend one of these weekends. Please state your membership number when you sign up.

It’s taking place in Durham between Thursday 28th December (no walks on this day) to Monday 1st January inclusive. Please find below the information you need to decide if you’d like to come along and to which bits…

Please note that your place to attend the NYE Dinner will only be confirmed once a complete sign up form and payment have been received (see below for further information).

FormatDay 1: Thursday 28th December – Pub social for those arriving today.

Days 2 to 5: Friday 29th to Monday 1st January

• You can come for as long or short a time as you like. In a future email we will be asking everyone attending to complete a sign up form indicating their preference for walk and attendance at pub socials.

• Each day will hopefully feature multiple walk options which will be graded either Leisurely 8-12 miles, Moderate 12-15 miles, or Strenuous 15+ miles

If you arrive early in Durham, please do check the Met Walkers’ Facebook page and forums where any unofficial activity within the area will get listed!

Walk transportationLike last year, we are considering using coaches for some of the journeys to or from walks. In order for us to be able to do this we may require a deposit from everyone attending the weekend, further details to be announced later with a sign up form for all attending.

The proposed itinerary will be along the lines of (to be confirmed with venue):

19.00 Arrive

19.30 Guests seated

20.00 Meal served

00.00 New Year celebration

01.00 Night ends, guests depart

The options this year are as follows:

Option 1. Dinner ticket – Sign-up now!We have 100 places available on a first come, first serve basis.

£25 per person includes a 3 course meal (starter, main and dessert), a drink (half bottle of house wine, red/white/rose or bottle/pint of beer or a bottle/pint of cider) and a party to the small hours!

We are still considering the exact nature of the party, and there might be an additional cost for this to be determined. If so, we expect this to be no more than £5-£10 per person to be paid at a later stage.

To secure your ticket we will need to have received a completed sign-up form (one per individual attending) and non-refundable payment of the full amount £25. If you wish to be included in the dinner, both must be completed by Monday 20th November 2017.

Your place will only be confirmed once we have received a sign up form and full ticket cost – you will receive an email from the Secretary to confirm your place once both have been recorded.

Option 2. Party only – Sign up now!For anyone not interested, or too late for the dinner tickets, there is also the option to join the rest of us after dinner for the party only.

You can currently join us free of charge for the party but we are still considering the exact nature of the party, and there might be an additional cost for a DJ to be determined. If so, we expect this to be no more than £5-£10 per person to be paid at a later stage. Any funds leftover will be given to the central Met Walker funds.

You will then receive a confirmation email from the Met Walkers' Secretary to confirm your place for the party.

Accommodation and travel to DurhamThe committee will not be organising these for everyone, so you will need to find appropriate options for yourselves. Please do have a look as soon as you’re able as places are going fast.

If you have any queries or would like further information before signing up please do get in touch. We hope to see you there!

I have booked a twin room at the premier Inn in the city centre for whole of this trip for total cost of £260 (£130 per Person) , if someone (female) wants to share with me for all or part of the time please let me know by emailing me on sarah_cooper_935@hotmail.comThanks Sarah

The following walks are on the program for the New Year’s Eve Weekend away in Durham thanks to the valuable contribution of our walk leaders. Currently there are no walks on the 31st December so if there is anyone who would like to lead a walk please email weekends@metropolitan-walkers.org.uk.

Note: On Saturday the 29th December, two of the walks are a Dufton circular. A coach has been arranged with ticket costing £10 per person. If you would like to join one of the Dufton circular walks please transfer £10 to the Metropolitan Walkers bank account (Sort code: 08-60-01 Account: 20117326) with your name and DUFTON as a reference. There are over 80 people on the weekend away and with limited places available which will be allocated on a first come first serve basis. Payment to be made before the 20th December 2017 to reserve a place.

FRIDAY 29th DECEMBER 2017:

EARLY BIRDS (Strenuous) - James W (07881 952288)Bardon Mill to Haltwhistle (17 Miles)Roman walls, moorland trails & a Robin Hood Tree! Walk will be at a fast pace with several ascents. Please bring a packed lunch & torch. Afternoon pub stop for drinks only. Yep, it’s an early start but a necessary evil if you want the rewards of a good strenuous hike before we lose daylight.

HADRIAN’S CALL (Moderate) - Mark Scroggs (07979 344510)Haltwhistle to Haydon Bridge (14 Miles)A linear walk from Haltwhistle to Haydon Bridge, this explores a picturesque section of Hadrian’s Wall and Northumberland National Park, which will include many a Roman feature and the famous Sycamore Gap. Bring a packed lunch, pub stop after the walk in Haydon Bridge.

Take 8.57 from Durham (9.14 Newcastle), change at Newcastle for 9.24, arr. Haltwhistle at 10.14. Buy return to Haltwhistle.

Terrain: Hills

DURHAM CITY AND RIVERSIDE WALK (Moderate) - Paul Carter (07896 544328)Framwelgate Bridge to Durham city centre (7 Miles)This afternoon walk will follow the eastern bank of the River Wear and the hamlet of Houghall. We'll then climb up to Maiden Hall for a good view over the city before returning to the centre.

Meet 13h30 City side of Framwelgate Bridge, Durham (meet by Cafe Rouge)

Terrain: Riverside paths and a couple of hills

SATURDAY 30th DECEMBER 2017:

HELM WIND (Strenuous)- James W (07881 952288)Dufton Circular (15 Miles)Stride along Backstone Edge, ascend Pikes and gaze in awe at the inspiring High Cup valley. Weather permitting we can also look forward to wide-sweeping panoramic views. Hilly and fast walk with steep ascents! Please bring a packed lunch - hopefully timing will permit a meet up of the two groups at this point. Cosy pub at the end allowing time for a drink or two.

Coach £10 in advance, non-refundable. 8:30am collection from Premier Inn City Centre. Return departure 18:00 with extra drop off at the Travelodge. Limited places! First come, first served.

Terrain: Fields, Woodland, Moorland & Hills, 1400m total ascent

A CUPPA WITH NICK (Moderate) - KulrajDufton Circular (13.75 Miles)An attractive trail through woodland and farmer’s fields leading up to the jaws of the picturesque and dramatic High Cup Nick. Our journey will take us through the middle of this valley before we make our ascent to enjoy a well-earned cuppa at the top with fabulous panoramic views if the weather is kind. Please bring a packed lunch. Cosy pub at the end allowing time for a drink or two.

Coach £10 in advance, non-refundable. 8:30am collection from Premier Inn City Centre. Return departure 18:00 with extra drop off at the Travelodge. Limited places! First come, first served.

Terrain: Fields, Woodland, Moorland & Hills, 850m total ascent

DURHAM HERITAGE COASTAL PATH (Moderate) - Paul Carter (07896 544328)West View/Easington Road bus stop to Seaham town centre (14 Miles)This walk explores the heritage of the Durham coastline with a variety of scenery. Beginning in the outskirts of Hartlepool, a short walk takes us to the coastal path, which we will then follow north to the town of Seaham. Most of the walk is described here:http://www.durhamheritagecoast.org/wp-c ... ooklet.pdfBring a packed lunch. Please note that looking at the map there are no obvious toilet or refreshment facilities along the route, so lunch will be somewhere along the coastal path.

Take the 57A bus towards Hartlepool from Durham Bus Station at 09:00 and alight at the West View/Easington Road stop at approximately 9:50. For the return journey, the 265 bus runs from Seaham to Durham at 16:00, 17:00, 18:05 and 19:10. Two single tickets required.

Terrain: Coastal paths, some steep sections

WEAR RIVER WANDER (Leisurely/Moderate) - Claire HDurham Circular (8.5 Miles)We’ll take a wander along the Wear River, on a picturesque part the Weardale Way path. With old bridges, woods, a viaduct, country houses and pretty countryside to view. We’ll end in the village of Tudhoe where there will be plenty of time for a drink before getting the bus back to Durham.